Get In! Poem by Michael John Cook

The hard work is done
He's brought it down with his chest,
on the run
Three more touches,
maybe four
He looks odds on favourite to score
The chasing defender is beat
He isn't as quick on his feet
Bearing down on goal
Just the keeper in his sight
Not as easy as it looks
This keepers had a good night
Must shake these silly thoughts
Concentrate on his shot
His legs now feel like jelly
His nerves gone to pot
Then he hears the crowd roar
His courage restored
He gets his foot under the ball
And lifts it high into the air
The keeper watches it fly over
And reaches out in despair
The silence of expectation
His moment of rapture
Every photographers camera
Aimed and waiting to capture
Then with all of the drama,
Of a drummers big finish
The sound of the crossbar
His moment diminished
And as the hearts of all sink
With a chance gone begging
The net ripples, he's done it
Get in there son, get in!